Are you thinking of this statement?

But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. (GC 421)

Please note that it is those who "through repentance of sin and faith in Christ" who are entitled to the benefits of the atonement.

Regarding Heb. 9:22, please consider the following:

YOU will find the text in the ninth chapter of Hebrews, and the twenty-second verse: "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. This text has in it the very soul and center and secret of all true Christian consecration. The idea has obtained that God was angry with men because of sin, that God's wrath must be satisfied; and so an arrangement must be made by which he could pour out his wrath upon his Son, and thus satisfy his justice. And while this wrath was waiting for full satisfaction when it should be poured out on his Son, a system of sacrifice was instituted which would appease his wrath temporarily, and hold it in abeyance. But this idea of atonement, or reconciliation, separates entirely between the Father and the Son, making the Father so stern and hard that he demands his full "pound of flesh," so to speak, and the Son so kind, so good, that he gives it out of his own heart that we may be set free. Thus, instead of Christ revealing the Father, the two are opposite - entirely separated. But no, "He that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father." And if you want to know how God feels toward sin, notice how Christ hated sin. If you want to know how God feels toward the sinner, notice how Christ loved the sinner. God's wrath burns eternally against sin, and never will be appeased; but it will consume the sinner in the end. His love is unending, unchanging, for the sinner. And just as we have learned that the moral law is not an arbitrary thing, but a statement of everlasting love and life, so, my brethren, may we learn that, although the ceremonies have passed away by limitation, yet the meaning of those ceremonies is just as true to-day as then. And it still is true that "without the shedding of blood there is no remission." (Fifield, Sermon #2, 1897 GCB)

It is true that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (for human beings), but the question is why? Peter gives us the answer:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Pet. 3:18)

The purpose of the blood is to bring us to God. Paul brings out the same point:

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. (Col. 1:19-21)

Jesus brings out the same point:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:14-16)

The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that the whole purpose of Christ's mission on earth was to reveal God to us that we might be set right with Him. She was right!

TE: The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that the whole purpose of Christ's mission on earth was to reveal God to us that we might be set right with Him. She was right!

MM: By “set right” are you referring to the justification Jesus made possible and available to us through His blood atonement? Or, do mean Jesus will empower us to live in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the Bible? In other words, are you referring to sanctification? Or, both?

The following quotes provide insights as to the purpose of Jesus’ life and death:

Matthew
1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1 John
3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

TE: The purpose of the blood is to bring us to God.

MM: Tom, that is only one reason why Jesus had to die as our substitute. A very good reason, though. Thank you, Jesus! But there are other reasons, too.

Tom, do you agree that 1) the law requires God to punish sinners in proportion to their sinfulness the moment they sin, 2) that the law then requires God to destroy them, that 3) God is obligated to satisfy the demands of the law, that 4) Jesus’ substitutionary death satisfies the demands of the law and appeases the wrath of God, and that 5) Jesus’ death gives God the legal right to pardon us and to empower us to live without sinning and to cultivate the righteous traits of Jesus’ character?

Also, do you agree that no one can unknowingly cultivate an unholy trait of character that violates one of the last six commandments? Do you agree that it is impossible to possess a cultivated sinful trait of character, as condemned by the last six commandments, without realizing it is morally unacceptable?

Again, Jesus cannot ignore or dismiss unknown and unconfessed sins of ignorance during the investigative judgment of the dead. He is required by aw to apply the benefits of His blood to atone for them.

Rosangela, do you agree that the retreat leaders were not ignorant of their defects, that they were fully aware of their wrongdoing?

“Has not the Lord reproved your course, Dr. M.? Why do you maintain your own way nevertheless? Never, never be guilty of yielding to a deceitful, false tongue.”

Do you agree that the retreat leaders were resisting the potential for growth in grace as described in the following sentences?

“The nearer the Christian lives to God, the more he advances in divine illumination of mind. He has more distinct sense of his own littleness, discerns his defects of character, and sees his duty in the light in which God presents it.”

Do you agree that the defects and imperfections the retreat leaders were guilty of had not escaped their notice, that they were fully aware of them?

“The more closely he draws to Jesus, the more he has a near and clear sense of his own defects which had before escaped his notice, and he sees the necessity of humbling himself under the mighty hand of God.”

I understand "set right" to be referring to justification and "kept right" to sanctification. She applies Christ's mission to both:

The only way in which he could set and keep men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. That men might have salvation he came directly to man, and became a partaker of his nature. (ST 1/20/90)


Regarding Jesus' saving us from our sins, taking away our sins, and destroying the work of the devil, these things are true, and agree with what I've been presenting. Sin will kill us, so to save us, God must separate us from our sins. This He does by drawing us to Himself. Every sin which is acknowledge with a contrite heart, God will remove.

The work of the devil is to misrepresent God's character, and thus deceive us into a life of sin. Jesus Christ destroys the work of the devil by revealing the truth about God.

Quote:

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Tom, do you agree that 1) the law requires God to punish sinners in proportion to their sinfulness the moment they sin, 2) that the law then requires God to destroy them, that 3) God is obligated to satisfy the demands of the law, that 4) Jesus’ substitutionary death satisfies the demands of the law and appeases the wrath of God, and that 5) Jesus’ death gives God the legal right to pardon us and to empower us to live without sinning and to cultivate the righteous traits of Jesus’ character?

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1.Not in an arbitrary sense. People suffer in proportion to their sin because sin causes suffering. The more sin, the more suffering. The law recognizes the reality of sin, but doesn't create any additional guilt or punishmenst. The punishment is inherent in the sin.

2.The law is not a sentient being who rules God. The law is a transcript of God's character.

3.Same answer as 2.

4.I agree with Waggoner's statement here:

A propitiation is a sacrifice. The statement then is simply that Christ is set forth to be a sacrifice for the remission of our sins. "Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." Heb. 9:26. Of course the idea of a propitiation or sacrifice is that there is wrath to be appeased. But take particular notice that it is we who require the sacrifice, and not God. He provides the sacrifice. The idea that God's wrath has to be propitiated in order that we may have forgiveness finds no warrant in the Bible (Waggoner on Romans)."

I agree with the statement that Jesus' death satisfies the demands of the law, and understand this statement in the same way that Waggoner speaks of it. Also EGW in this statement:

As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. God Himself is "the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Rom. 3:26. (COL 162)

(This is exactly the same thing Waggoner says about Rom. 3:26)

5.God doesn't need to do anything to obtain the legal right to pardon us. He is God. He can pardon whoever He wants. God's offer of pardon to Lucifer demonstrates that there is no legal prerequisite.

Regarding the second part of your question, the law is a transcript of God's character, so when one is brought into harmony with God, one is of necessity brought into harmony with His law.

Quote:

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Also, do you agree that no one can unknowingly cultivate an unholy trait of character that violates one of the last six commandments? Do you agree that it is impossible to possess a cultivated sinful trait of character, as condemned by the last six commandments, without realizing it is morally unacceptable?

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As I've repeatedly pointed out, there are 10 commandments which are of universal scope, not 6! Actually not I, but Ellen White says that, and she gets it from Scripture. So no, I do not believe in your 6 commandment theory. I have repeatedly asked you to present some evidence for it, and so far you haven't. I don't expect you ever to do so, because I don't believe there is any.

TE: Sin will kill us, so to save us, God must separate us from our sins. This He does by drawing us to Himself. Every sin which is acknowledge with a contrite heart, God will remove.

MM: How does God prevent sin from killing us right now?

TE: 1. The more sin, the more suffering.

MM: Isn’t this the result of God making it possible for to live a long life of sinning without dying? How much suffering we would experience if God allowed the first sin to kill us?

TE: 2. The law is not a sentient being who rules God.

MM: Is God above the law? Is the law a god?

TE: 3.Same answer as 2.

MM: Can God disregard the just demands of the law? Or, is He obligated by law to execute the death penalty?

AG 139
Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death penalty must be executed. God, in the gift of His only-begotten Son, met both these requirements. By dying in man's stead, Christ exhausted the penalty and provided a pardon. {AG 139.2}

TE: 4.I agree with Waggoner's statement here:

MM: Do you also agree with the following insight:

AG 138
Does God turn from justice in showing mercy to the sinner? No; God cannot dishonor His law by suffering it to be transgressed with impunity. Under the new covenant, perfect obedience is the condition of life. If the sinner repents and confesses his sins, he will find pardon. By Christ's sacrifice in his behalf, forgiveness is secured for him. Christ has satisfied the demands of the law for every repentant, believing sinner. {AG 138.4}

TE: So no, I do not believe in your 6 commandment theory. I have repeatedly asked you to present some evidence for it, and so far you haven't. I don't expect you ever to do so, because I don't believe there is any.

MM: Tom, as you know, Jesus articulated the differences between the first four and last commandments. True, it is one law, not ten. To break one is to break them all, and vice versa. Sister White goes on to explain why certain heathens will not perish in spite of the fact they were wholly ignorant of God’s law. It is because their good works were in harmony with the last six commandments.

DA 607
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." {DA 607.2}

DA 638
Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. {DA 638.2}

TE: Sin will kill us, so to save us, God must separate us from our sins. This He does by drawing us to Himself. Every sin which is acknowledge with a contrite heart, God will remove.

MM: How does God prevent sin from killing us right now?

He doesn't reveal the truth to us in doses that would result in our death.

We should not try to lessen our guilt by excusing sin. We must accept God's estimate of sin, and that is heavy indeed. Calvary alone can reveal the terrible enormity of sin. If we had to bear our own guilt, it would crush us. (MB 116)

TE: 1. The more sin, the more suffering.

MM: Isn’t this the result of God making it possible for to live a long life of sinning without dying? How much suffering we would experience if God allowed the first sin to kill us?

If we lived less, we would suffer less. Is that what you're asking? If we were to die before sinning at all, we wouldn't suffer at all.

TE: 2. The law is not a sentient being who rules God.

MM: Is God above the law?

Exactly my point. God always abides by His law. He doesn't kill, lie or steal. The law is a transcript of His character.

Is the law a god?

You're writing makes it appear you think so. You keep expressing yourself as if God were obligated to act in certain ways because of the law, rather than presenting the law as expressing His character.

TE: 3.Same answer as 2.

MM: Can God disregard the just demands of the law?

Do you mean can God act contrary to His character? If that's what you mean, the answer is no. If you mean something else, you'll have to explain what you mean.

Or, is He obligated by law to execute the death penalty?

No, God is not obligated by anybody or anything. He is God. He acts the way He does because of His character, which is defined by love. Love is the fulfilling of the law, and defines God's actions.

AG 139
Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death penalty must be executed. God, in the gift of His only-begotten Son, met both these requirements. By dying in man's stead, Christ exhausted the penalty and provided a pardon. {AG 139.2}

TE: 4.I agree with Waggoner's statement here:

MM: Do you also agree with the following insight:

AG 138
Does God turn from justice in showing mercy to the sinner? No; God cannot dishonor His law by suffering it to be transgressed with impunity. Under the new covenant, perfect obedience is the condition of life. If the sinner repents and confesses his sins, he will find pardon. By Christ's sacrifice in his behalf, forgiveness is secured for him. Christ has satisfied the demands of the law for every repentant, believing sinner. {AG 138.4}

Yes. I see it to be saying the same thing as Waggoner's statement, and the statement from COL from Ellen White herself which I quoted.


TE: So no, I do not believe in your 6 commandment theory. I have repeatedly asked you to present some evidence for it, and so far you haven't. I don't expect you ever to do so, because I don't believe there is any.

MM: Tom, as you know, Jesus articulated the differences between the first four and last commandments.

Never in terms of "mental" sins and "moral" sins. All sins not done in ignorance are moral sins.

True, it is one law, not ten. To break one is to break them all, and vice versa. Sister White goes on to explain why certain heathens will not perish in spite of the fact they were wholly ignorant of God’s law. It is because their good works were in harmony with the last six commandments.

No!!! It is because their good works were in harmony with ALL TEN commandments. As you mentioned, it's one law. The WHOLE law is summed up by the principle, "Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself."

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:8-10)

What is the royal law? The six commandments?

The apostle James, who wrote after the death of Christ, refers to the Decalogue as "the royal law" and "the perfect law of liberty." (GC 466)


DA 607
The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." {DA 607.2}

DA 638
Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God. {DA 638.2}

These statements are in hamony with what I've been saying. They do not support the idea of:

1.First four commandments = mental sin.
2.Last six commandments = moral sin.

Your idea does not exist in either Scripture or the Spirit of Prophecy.

TE: He doesn't reveal the truth to us in doses that would result in our death.

MM: So darkness and ignorance is bliss?

TE: If we lived less, we would suffer less. Is that what you're asking?

MM: Sort of. More specifically, though, none of us would have to suffer for more than one sin if God allowed sin to run its natural course, right? Which means God is responsible for the suffering sinners will experience in the lake of fire above and beyond the first sin, right?

TE: No, God is not obligated by anybody or anything.

MM: Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death penalty must be executed. God, in the gift of His only-begotten Son, met both these requirements. By dying in man's stead, Christ exhausted the penalty and provided a pardon. Do you agree?

TE: No!!! It is because their good works were in harmony with ALL TEN commandments. As you mentioned, it's one law. The WHOLE law is summed up by the principle, "Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself."

MM: Tom, do you believe the heathens she wrote about kept the seventh-day sabbath holy?

TE: The WHOLE law is summed up by the principle, "Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself."

MM: The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." The last six are included in the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Do you agree?

TE: Your idea does not exist in either Scripture or the Spirit of Prophecy.

MM: Tom, I strongly disagree. There are people who will be in heaven who never knew the law of God, or the son of God. There is no way they could have obeyed the first four commandments under such circumstances. But their works testify as to whether or not they lived in harmony with the last six commandments – the golden rule.

Jesus can safely take them to heaven because He knows that they would have lived in harmony with the first four commandments had they known about them. “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”

By the way, what do you think I mean by the labels mental and moral sins?

R: Mike, I'm not following you…. This is a universal truth; it does not reflect the behavior of the retreat leaders.

MM: Right, that’s my point, too. The truth she describes does not apply to certain types of moral defects and imperfections. So, what criteria do we use? What types of defects and imperfections can we apply it to? I suspect you and I would answer this question differently.

Since I do not believe it is possible to unknowingly or ignorantly cultivate traits of character that violate the last six commandments I do not believe it is possible to possess an unknown defective trait of character that is condemned by the last six commandments.

“It is not through one act that the character is formed, but by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed.” (ST 4-30-1894) Again, no one can repeat the same behaviour over and over again until it becomes a character trait that violates one of the six commandments without realizing it is morally wrong. Especially not a born again, Spirit-led, believer endowed with spiritual eye salve. Do you agree?

Of course, the same cannot be said of those commandments that require Bible study and conviction. For example, a truly born again believer can innocently and ignorantly break the seventh-day Sabbath or the Levitical laws of health without realizing it. Such things, however, do not constitute a defective trait of character. To qualify as a "defective" trait of character conscious disobedience is required. Otherwise, it is considered a sin of ignorance instead of a moral imperfection. Do you agree?